Police in Philadelphia say an 11-year-old girl was fatally shot by her 2-year-old brother while she and her other siblings played with a handgun in her home.
NBC Philadelphia reports that Jamara Stevens, 11, was killed on Saturday morning inside of her home in the Mantua section of West Philadelphia. Police say that Stevens, her 14-year-old brother, 7-year-old sister and 2-year-old brother were playing with a .357 they found when their mother, Tiffany Goldwire, went to use the bathroom. The weapon was reportedly left on top of the refrigerator by Goldwire's boyfriend, who had been at the home earlier that day.
As the children played with the weapon, the youngest accidentally fired it, striking Stevens in the arm. The bullet reportedly traveled through her chest, hitting her heart. Officials determined it was the 2-year-old boy who discharged the gun because gun powder and a burn from the blast were found on his arm.
Stevens was pronounced dead at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia at 10:20 a.m. Her mother and siblings were taken to a police station, where NBC Philadelphia says Goldwire was questioned for close to five hours. Police are trying to determine who owned the handgun, and say Goldwire is not being cooperative.
As of yesterday afternoon, no charges had been filed.
[via NBC Philadelphia]
